2003 MAZDA MODEL 6 engine coolant

4-5
Before Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I
Before Starting the Engine
•
Be sure the windows, outside mirror(s),
and outside lights are clean.
•
Inspect inflation pressures and
condition of tires.
•
Look under the vehicle for any sign of
a leak.
•
If you plan to back up, make sure
nothing will be in your way.•
Are all doors closed and locked?
•
Is the seat adjusted properly?
•
Are the inside and outside mirrors
adjusted?
•
Is everyone’s seat belt fastened?
•
Do all the lights work?
•
Check all gauges.
•
Check all warning lights when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position.
•
Release the parking brake and make
sure the brake warning light goes off.
Always be thoroughly familiar with your
Mazda.
Before Getting In
NOTE
Engine oil, engine coolant, brake/
clutch fluid, washer fluid, and other
fluid levels should be inspected daily,
weekly, or at refueling, depending on
the fluid. See Maintenance, Section 8.
After Getting In
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4-8
Before Driving Your Mazda
Driving Tips
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I
•
Carry emergency gear, including tire
chains, window scraper, flares, a small
shovel, jumper cables, and a small bag
of sand or salt.
Ask a Mazda dealer to perform the
following precautions:
•
Have the proper ratio of antifreeze in
the radiator.
•
Inspect the battery and its cables. Cold
reduces battery capacity.
•
Use only cold-weather engine oil (page
8-10).
•
Inspect the ignition system for damage
and loose connections.
•
Use washer fluid made with
antifreeze—but don’t use engine
coolant antifreeze for washer fluid
(page 8-19).
•
Don’t use the parking brake in freezing
weather as the parking brake may
freeze. Instead, shift to P with an
automatic transaxle and to 1 or R with
a manual transaxle. Block the rear
wheels.

Snow Tires
Use snow tires on all four wheels
Your vehicle is originally equipped with
all season radials designed to be used all
year around. In some extreme climates
you may find it necessary to replace them
with snow tires during the winter months
to further improve traction on snow and
ice covered roads.
Don’t go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph).
Inflate snow tires 30 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm
2, 4.3
psi) more than recommended on the tire
pressure label (driver’s door frame), but
never more than the maximum cold-tire
pressure shown on the tires.

Tire Chains
This vehicle cannot be operated with tire
chains because it could cause interference
with the vehicle body and scratching.
Winter Driving
Mixing Tire Types:Using tires different in size or type is
dangerous. Your vehicle’s handling
could be greatly affected and result in
an accident. Use only the same size
and type tires (snow, radial, or non-
radial) on all four wheels.
WARNING
Check local regulations before using
studded tires.
CAUTION
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5-21
Driving Your Mazda
Starting and Driving
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I

TCS Indicator Light
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position. If the TCS is
operating, the indicator light flashes.
If the light stays on, the TCS may have a
malfunction and it may not operate
correctly. Take your vehicle to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.

TCS OFF Indicator Light
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
It also comes on when the TCS OFF
switch is pressed and TCS is switched off.
If the light stays on when the TCS is not
switched off, take your vehicle to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer. The TCS may
have a malfunction.
NOTE
•
In addition to the indicator light
flashing, a slight lugging sound will
come from the engine. This
indicates that the TCS is operating
properly.
•
On slippery surfaces, such as fresh
snow, it will be impossible to
achieve high rpm when the TCS is
on.
NOTE
After starting the engine when the
coolant temperature is extremely low,
the TCS is automatically turned off. At
this time, the TCS OFF indicator light
will remain on, but this does not
indicate an abnormality. After the
engine has warmed, TCS will resume
normal operation and the indicator
light will go out.
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5-23
Driving Your Mazda
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
(Black-out meter)

When the ignition switch is in the ON position, the dashboard gauges illuminate.
1 Speedometer ..............................................................................................................5-24
2 Odometer and Trip Meter ..........................................................................................5-24
3 Tachometer ................................................................................................................5-25
4 Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge..........................................................................5-25
5 Fuel Gauge................................................................................................................ 5-26
6 Instrument Cluster Dimmer Select Button (Black-out meter)...................................5-26
Meters and Gauges
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5-25
Driving Your Mazda
Instrument Cluster and Indicators
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I
The trip meter records the total distance
the vehicle is driven until the meter is
again reset. Return it to "0.0" by holding
the selector depressed for more than 1
second. Use this meter to measure trip
distances and to compute fuel
consumption.

Tachometer
The tachometer shows engine speed in
thousands of revolutions per minute
(rpm).

Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge
The engine coolant temperature gauge
shows the temperature of the engine
coolant.
If the needle exceeds normal range toward
H, it indicates overheating.
NOTE
•
Only the trip meters record tenths of
kilometers (miles).
•
The trip record will be erased when;
The power supply is interrupted
(blown fuse or the battery is
disconnected).
The vehicle is driven over 999.9
km (mile).
Don’t run the engine with the
tachometer needle in the RED ZONE.
This may cause severe engine damage.
Red zone
CAUTION
Driving with an overheated engine can
cause serious engine damage (page 7-
12).
CAUTION
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5-35
Driving Your Mazda
Warning/Indicator Lights and Beeps
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I

TCS Indicator Light
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position. If the TCS is
operating, the indicator light flashes.
If the light stays on, the TCS may have a
malfunction and it may not operate
correctly. Take your vehicle to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.

TCS OFF Indicator Light
This indicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.
It also comes on when the TCS OFF
switch is pressed and TCS is switched off.
If the light stays on when the TCS is not
switched off, take your vehicle to an
Authorized Mazda Dealer. The TCS may
have a malfunction.
NOTE
•
In addition to the indicator light
flashing, a slight lugging sound will
come from the engine. This
indicates that the TCS is operating
properly.
•
On slippery surfaces, such as fresh
snow, it will be impossible to
achieve high rpm when the TCS is
on.
NOTE
After starting the engine when the
coolant temperature is extremely low,
the TCS is automatically turned off. At
this time, the TCS OFF indicator light
will remain on, but this does not
indicate an abnormality. After the
engine has warmed, TCS will resume
normal operation and the indicator
light will go out.
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7-12
In Case of an Emergency
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I
Overheating
If the temperature gauge indicates
overheating, the vehicle loses power, or
you hear a loud knocking or pinging
noise, the engine is probably too hot.
If this happens:
1. Drive safely to the side of the road and
park off the right-of-way.
2. Put a vehicle with an automatic
transaxle in park (P), a manual
transaxle in neutral.
Apply the parking brake.
3. Turn off the air conditioner.4. Check whether coolant or steam is
escaping from under the hood or from
the engine compartment.
If steam is coming from the engine
compartment:Don’t go near the front of the vehicle.
Stop the engine. Then turn the ignition
switch to the ON position without
starting the engine.
The radiator cooling fans will start to
cool the engine.
If neither coolant nor steam is
escaping:Open the hood and idle the engine until
it cools. If this doesn’t lower the
temperature, stop the engine and let it
cool.
Overheating
Steam from Overheated Engine:Steam from an overheated engine is
dangerous. The escaping steam could
seriously burn you. Open the hood
ONLY after steam is no longer
escaping from the engine.
WARNING
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7-13
In Case of an Emergency
Overheating
Form No. 8R29-EA-02I
5. Check the coolant level.
If it’s low, look for leaks in the radiator
hoses and connections, heater hoses
and connections, radiator, and water
pump.
If you find a leak or other damage, or if
coolant is still leaking, stop the engine
and call an Authorized Mazda Dealer.
If you find no problems, the engine is
cool, and no leaks are obvious, carefully
add coolant as required (page 8-13).
Coolant reservoir
Cooling system cap2.3-liter engine
3.0-liter engine
Cooling
system cap
Coolant reservoir
Cooling System Caps:When the engine and radiator are
hot, scalding coolant and steam may
shoot out under pressure and cause
serious injury. Don’t remove either
cooling system cap when the engine
and radiator are hot.
If the engine continues to overheat or
frequently overheats, have the cooling
system inspected. The engine could be
seriously damaged unless repairs are
made.
WARNING
CAUTION
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